Muriel Furrer, 18-year-old Swiss cyclist, dies after an accident at the UCI Road World Championships

Teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer has died after an accident at the World Road Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.

Furrer came off the road during the junior women's road race on Thursday. Cycling's governing body, the UCI, said the 18-year-old was immediately flown in an emergency helicopter to hospital, where she died of a serious head injury.

“It is with great sadness that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Organizing Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Paracycling Road World Championships in Zurich (Switzerland) learned today the tragic news of the death of the young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer. “, it said in a statement.

“With the death of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community has lost a rider with a bright future. The 18-year-old rider crashed heavily in the junior women's road race yesterday, Thursday September 26th, suffering a serious head injury before being flown by helicopter to hospital in a very critical condition. Muriel Furrer unfortunately passed away today in the University Hospital of Zurich.

“The UCI and the Organizing Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Paracycling Road World Championships extend their sincere condolences to Muriel Furrer's family, friends and her association, Swiss Cycling. Muriel Furrer’s family asks that their privacy be respected at this very painful time.”

Furrer, who was part of the Swiss development team BIXS Performance, finished 44th in the women's junior time trial earlier this week. The road race took place in wet conditions after a heavy downpour on Thursday.

A joint statement from the UCI, Swiss Cycling and LOC initially said: “Furrer fell badly for reasons that are still unclear.” She suffered a serious head injury and is in a critical condition. There is currently no reliable information about the course of the accident. The authorities' investigations are ongoing. For this reason, no further information can be provided until further notice.”

Tributes were paid throughout the cycling community. “The world of cycling has lost a rider with a bright future,” Team Visma–Lease a Bike posted on Furrer’s Instagram page. “Our thoughts are with all of Muriel’s family and friends. Rest in peace, dear Muriel.”

Furrer's death came less than 18 months after the fatal accident of another Swiss cyclist, Gino Mader, at the Tour de Suisse.